Best Lawyers Near You in Placentia, California for Commercial Litigation
Richard Bridgford is a successful trial attorney with over 36 years of experience who has obtained multiple 7 and 8-figure financial awards for his clients in jury trials, judge trials, arbitrations, mediations, appeals and settlements. Mr. Bridgford presently acts as plaintiff’s counsel in the following serious personal injury/wrongful death/mass tort and class action litigation: Recent Representative Cases 2022 Laguna Niguel Coastal Wildfire vs. SCE. Represents the majority of homeown...
John Hueston has been described by Chambers USA, which ranked him in Band 1 nationally, as “the best trial lawyer of his generation” with “a commanding reputation for trial advocacy.” He has been recognized twice as a “California Lawyer of the Year” by California Lawyer magazine, twice as “California Trial Lawyer of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation, and among the “Top Lawyers of the Decade” by the Daily Journal. Mr. Hueston won &ldq...
Michael G. Balmages, Esq. is an accomplished mediator and discovery referee with extensive experience as a trial lawyer, general counsel, and transactional lawyer. As a mediator and as a neutral, he has had great success in helping litigants resolve their disputes in more than 1,500 cases. His friendly nature and ability to find common ground both contribute to his easy rapport with litigants and their attorneys, while his determination to get cases settled is evident at each hearing. He is c...
Education: University of Michigan B.A. with Distinction and Highest Honors in Political Science University of Michigan Law School J.D. Cum Laude; Note Editor, University of Michigan Law Review; Author of the "Haitian Vacation", Volume 77 - Michigan Law Review, Recipient of Howard Coblentz Award for Performance on the Law Review Past Employment: 1987-1994: Layman, Jones & Dye, Irvine, Ca. Litigation Partner from 1/88 -1/94 1983-1987: Assistant United States Attorney Central District of Cal...
Mr. Dixon’s practice spans a wide range of litigation in federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels and before arbitral tribunals. He focuses on complex business litigation, intellectual property litigation, securities litigation, international arbitration, and other high-stakes commercial disputes. Mr. Dixon also has extensive experience with internal and government investigations. Mr. Dixon has represented clients across a broad spectrum of industries, including Wester...
David Ezra, a shareholder in Berger Kahn’s Orange County office, has successfully represented clients involved in insurance and employment litigation for over 25 years. He believes there’s only one way to practice law - with 100% dedication to achieving the client’s objectives. David frequently serves expert witness in connection with insurance litigation. He also works as a mediator, having co-founded Innovative Dispute Resolution (IDR) in 2005. David was named Best Lawyers...
PRACTICE AREAS Trials Commercial Litigation Intellectual Property Insurance Recovery/Bad Faith Legal Malpractice EXPERIENCE Shaun Hoting focuses his practice on complex commercial litigation. Shaun’s practice includes litigation related to legal malpractice, contract disputes, patents, copyrights, trademarks, securities, and white collar defense. He has litigated cases involving technologies as diverse as software, cellular telephones, aerospace seals, and waterpark attractions. Shaun&r...
Amber McKonly is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Amber, who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Amber is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Nicole Chérie Cemo is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Labor and Employment Law - Management. Nicole Chérie, who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicole Chérie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Carl Berthold, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Intellectual Property and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Carl, who practices law in Newport Beach, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carl is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Christi Forsline is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law and Litigation - Environmental. Christi, who practices law in Mission Viejo, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christi is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Briana Richmond is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Briana, who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Briana is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Samantha L. Goates is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Commercial Litigation. Samantha L., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Samantha L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.